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The Pittsburgh Steelers won a tight division battle against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2025 season, which propelled them to win the AFC North division -- a division that included some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. Despite an often stagnant offense that didn't include much star power and a defense that underwhelmed, the Black and Gold found a way to achieve a home playoff berth. The Steelers were led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in his age-41 season, and they are looking to run it back, this time with much better weapons and a whole new coaching staff.
After yet another offseason full of drama surrounding Rodgers' decision to return to football, let alone Pittsburgh, he signed a one-year deal to play his final season in the Steel City. He'll be back with a quarterback room that features longtime backup Mason Rudolph, and two young gunslingers in second-year player Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. The room features two capable vets and two players who have yet to see the field. It combines present and future talent, which makes it extremely unique.
The Steelers will have a difficult time keeping all four quarterbacks, but it could be something they'll consider as the roster comes together after training camp. Ahead of the season, the quarterback room as a whole is pretty different than how many other teams are set up. CBS Sports' Emory Hunt believes that this makes them the third-best unit in the AFC. He explained his reasoning on a segment where he ranked the quarterback rooms by conference.
"Aaron Rodgers is what makes this room solid for me because I love the fact that he played some good football down the stretch of the season for Pittsburgh. Got those guys a divisional championship and into the postseason, and I just love the potential. I know I've been railing against rookie unknowns, and they have two of them in this room. One didn't play last year and is not a rookie in Will Howard, but I love what he brings to the table. He's a national champion, and Drew Allar, the quote-unquote good prospect that comes in as a rookie. So, collectively, I like this room for Pittsburgh," Hunt said.
The grade comes from the variety of different pieces that the room has to offer. What sets them apart is that Rodgers is still a very capable thrower of the football, there is a proven backup option in Rudolph, and two intriguing prospects in Howard and Allar.
Though the grade may seem high, there's plenty of justification. Rodgers put together a highly efficient season, despite a poor offensive scheme and a lack of pass catchers. The organization has made a point of emphasis in the offseason to surround the four-time MVP with more capable weapons, like trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and drafting rookie Germie Bernard in the second round of the draft. He'll have a familiar face as head coach with the hiring of Mike McCarthy and a playbook that will benefit him.
As for the other quarterbacks, Rudolph has been around the Steelers for most of his career and has proven that when his name is called, he can win games when needed. That gives the team a great safety net should Rodgers get hurt. Allar and Howard have yet to see the field, but they have tremendous upside. The front office used one of its third-round picks on Allar in the 2026 draft, and Howard was a sixth-rounder in 2025. The two will have training camp and preseason to display their talents.
The Steelers' QBs Will Thrive Under McCarthy
The widely known quarterback guru, McCarthy, has already implemented his quarterback school with the two young signal-callers. McCarthy has coached some of the league's best over the years, including Rodgers, and things should be no different for Pittsburgh. With his expertise, there's no reason why the team couldn't get a lot out of its two promising quarterbacks.
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